Namaste! Welcome to the land of vibrant colors and ancient wisdom—India, a massive South Asian nation that is the world’s most populous democracy and one of the oldest civilizations on Earth. There are around 1.4 billion people living here, and the capital is New Delhi, a bustling metropolis where ancient monuments stand beside modern government buildings. The official languages at the federal level are Hindi and English, though the country recognizes 22 major languages and has hundreds of dialects.
India covers about 3,287,263 square kilometers (1,269,219 square miles). To imagine its size, the country is roughly one-third the size of the United States, or about the same size as the entire European Union. It stretches from the frozen peaks of the Himalayas in the north to the tropical, palm-fringed beaches of the south.
The most popular sport, by a massive margin, is Cricket, which is treated almost like a religion. Their national animal is the Bengal Tiger, representing power and agility, while the Indian Peacock is the national bird.
The flag consists of three horizontal stripes of saffron, white, and green with a navy blue wheel in the center, where the saffron represents courage and sacrifice, the white symbolizes truth and peace, and the green stands for faith and fertility.
The food is a world-famous explosion of spices and regional flavors. You must try Butter Chicken or Paneer Tikka, often served with fresh Naan bread. In the south, Dosa (crispy rice crepes) and Idli are staples. India is also a paradise for vegetarians, with a larger variety of meat-free dishes than almost anywhere else on Earth. You’ll also find that Chai (spiced tea) is the fuel of daily life, served on nearly every street corner.
India is home to the Taj Mahal in Agra, a white marble mausoleum built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife, often cited as the most beautiful building in the world. The country is the birthplace of four major religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism. If you visit the city of Varanasi, you’ll experience one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities on the planet, situated on the sacred Ganges River. India is also a global leader in Technology and Space Exploration, having successfully reached the Moon and Mars with its own missions. For a change of pace, you can explore the backwaters of Kerala on a houseboat or attend Holi, the “Festival of Colors,” where the whole country celebrates by throwing colorful powders at each other.
From the chaotic energy of Mumbai’s markets to the spiritual silence of the Himalayas, India is a land of incredible contrast and deep soul. Shukriya! That means “Thank you!”